Survey Says: Hollywood Not in Sync with America

[J_UNTITLED]

From The Hollywood Reporter...

"A majority of Americans say Hollywood doesn't share their moral values, according to a poll commissioned by the Anti-Defamation League.

Sixty-one% of those surveyed said that religious values in America are "under attack," and 59% agreed that "the people who run the TV networks and the major movie studios do not share the religious and moral values of most Americans."

The poll, titled "American Attitudes on Religion, Moral Values and Hollywood," was conducted by the Marttila Communications Group, which surveyed 1,000 adults nationwide. It was released Friday at the ADL's annual meeting in Los Angeles.

"These findings point to the challenges that we face in dealing with issues of religion in society," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL national director. "The belief that religion is under attack underlies the drive to incorporate more religion into American public life. Disturbingly, 43% of Americans believe there is an organized campaign by Hollywood and the national media to weaken the influence of religious values in this country."

Among the survey's findings:

-- 61% of respondents agree that "religious values are under attack in this country," while 36% disagree with that statement.

-- 43% said that Hollywood and the national media are waging an organized campaign to "weaken the influence of religious values in this country."

-- 63% disagree with the statement that "the movie and television industries are pretty much run by Jews," while only 22% agree with that point. When ADL conducted its first survey on anti-Semitic attitudes, in 1964, nearly half of the respondents believed that the television and film industries were run by Jews.

-- Nearly 40% support the notion that "dangerous ideas should be banned from public school libraries," and nearly the same number disagree with the statement that "censoring books is an old-fashioned idea."

-- Nearly half of those surveyed -- 49% -- believe that the United States is becoming "too tolerant in its acceptance of different ideas and lifestyles; 47% disagree with that statement.

The survey's margin of error is +/-3.09%."

No offense to any of those religious-inclined, but the above is personally pretty hilarious to me.

[assydingo]

Half the time a movie or show isn't supporting the conduct, it's just showing it. I have a feeling some don't understand that.

[ShelbyGT500]

Since when is 1,000 people the majority of America?

[WyldeMan45]

-- 63% disagree with the statement that "the movie and television industries are pretty much run by Jews," while only 22% agree with that point. When ADL conducted its first survey on anti-Semitic attitudes, in 1964, nearly half of the respondents believed that the television and film industries were run by Jews.

Oh yeah they where way off on those stats. What have these guys done lately? Lol, and no this isn't meant to be Anti-Semitic I just don't think that statement is 63% false. This list contains most of my favorite celebs, and since I'm not the least bit religious I never even considered what they where. and couldn't really care either way, I just got curious wen reading that statement. Based on a simple search it definitely doesn't look like they ever had trouble getting work in Hollywood though lol. But we wouldn't have the Apatow films, Indy or Iron Man without em!One thing i did find funny is that nearly the entire cast of Tropic Thunder is entirely Jewish, and so is almost all of Apatow's casts which they love to remind us, haha. Seems they are the most popular comedians, so I guess that means Jim Carrey and all of Canada is no longer funny......bye Mike Myers

Harrison Ford
Stephen Spielberg
Adam Sandler
Seth Rogen
Jack Black
Judd Apatow
Jason Siegel
Martin Starr
Jonah Hill
Jay Baruchel
Harvey and Bob Weinstein
Jeremy Piven
William Shatner
Robert Downey Jr.
Paul Newman
David Duchovny
Woody Allen
Ben Stiller
Dustin Hoffman
Natalie Portman
Gwyneth Paltrow
Daniel-Day Lewis
Michael Douglas
Ben Kingsley
Kevin Kline
Billy Crystal
Goldie Hawn
Gina Gershon
David Arquette
Harvey Keitel
Jon Favreau
Adam Goldberg
Richard Dreyfuss
Howie Mandell
Rodney Dangerfield
Mel Brooks
Wynona Ryder
Edward G. Robinson
Paul Reiser
Jerry Seinfeld
Debra Winger
Jane Seymour
Lewis Black
Lisa Bonet
Yasmine Bleeth


And as far as -- 61% of respondents agree that "religious values are under attack in this country," while 36% disagree with that statement.

It would appear to me that based on the tv and films i've seen the only religion under attack here is still the Muslims. American tv shows like Friday Night Lights touch on religion a very large amount of the time.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

It's the tolerance that's under attack. Fighting tolerance instigates hate while enforcing restrictions instigates alarming amounts of forced conformity... does this idea remind anyone of "the perfect race?" A.K.A. The Nazi Movement! I don't think that Americans what to be known as the Nazis of the new millenium. Well....... ok....... MOST Americans probably don't. The white supremacists on the other hand...

[LynxFX]

Nearly half of those surveyed -- 49% -- believe that the United States is becoming "too tolerant in its acceptance of different ideas and lifestyles;

Doesn't that just make you all warm and fuzzy inside? Guess that whole "all men are created equal" just needs to be repeated every 50 or so years.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by LynxFX

Doesn't that just make you all warm and fuzzy inside? Guess that whole "all men are created equal" just needs to be repeated every 50 or so years.

But... all persons CAN'T be created equal. If that were the case then there would be no way for the "powers that be" (whoever they might be) to divide and conquer the populace. Thus, negating their plans to create a totalitarian society.

Ya... Hollywood is really devastating the world... oh, I'm sorry... the U.S. viewers with their "immoral teachings." ....... Good grief... (hefty sigh of disgust)

[bajor27]

-- 43% said that Hollywood and the national media are waging an organized campaign to "weaken the influence of religious values in this country."

Wow. Really?!?! Almost have of those surveyed feel it's some sort of conspiracy?

-- Nearly 40% support the notion that "dangerous ideas should be banned from public school libraries," and nearly the same number disagree with the statement that "censoring books is an old-fashioned idea."

I don't even want to know what people consider a 'dangerous idea'

-- Nearly half of those surveyed -- 49% -- believe that the United States is becoming "too tolerant in its acceptance of different ideas and lifestyles; 47% disagree with that statement.

This one is just scary. And the 47% that disagree are more than welcome up here in Canada

[P@t_Mtl]

There is currently a huge religious fever gripping North America, something probably not seen since the 1950's.

While I don't have any problem for people to worship as they wish, most of the time people feel the need to ram their believe down your throath. It's one of the major reason I hate all type of religions. More troubles cause from them then any good solutions they might bring.

While I believe in God, I don't need some senile old men wearing diapers (I am catholic raise by the way) molesters to tell me what my moral guidelines should be nor the rest of the world. Specialy when some of the most fervent religious person get caught so many times stealing or trying to get the services of prostitutes or in possesions of drugs. Before telling others how to live their lifes, clean up yours, then we shall see.

Last point if you don't like what is playing on a channel, go to the next or turn the stupid TV off. Don't dictate to others what you think they should be watching. I don't care one bit about your opinions.

[Blu Holer]

I'm sick of hearing about people and their moral values. The greatest moral value is to mind your own business.

[andyman1970]

I just want to know who is providing these surveys? Who is taking these surveys? What exactly are they trying to learn by these surveys? When are these surveys being taken? Where do you go to take part in these surveys? How do they figure 1000 people represent the MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS of other people in the USA? Personally I believe they just pick the people or demographic they want to survey so as to support what they want to find.
While I admit the past 8 years have been lean and conservative times due to 9/11 and the war in Iraq on terror, I have to be optimistic that things will change with a new president taking office in Jan.

[Slec]

Too bad they didn't ask the respondents what the values of Hollywood are Cause, you know, it's a city. I'd like to know who was told by Hollywood what its values are, and then lock them up, because clearly they are projecting thoughts about a person or two onto a city...

[lobo81865]

There is a big disconnect between Hollywood, and most of the rest of the country. They think if anyone believes differently than they do on a topic that the person is an un-educated hick. That's not always the case.

Many also have so much money that they can't relate to the average citizen.

[Slec]

Originally Posted by lobo81865

There is a big disconnect between Hollywood, and most of the rest of the country. They think if anyone believes differently than they do on a topic that the person is an un-educated hick. That's not always the case.

Many also have so much money that they can't relate to the average citizen.

Here's what I don't get. Values and morals start at home and in the community. If you're counting on Hollywood to pass these on, you've already failed as a parent.

I love that movies don't have to follow the laws of the Universe, but they have to conform to the values and morals of a culture that is a melting pot of thousands of cultures... Hilarious!

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by bajor27

I don't even want to know what people consider a 'dangerous idea'

Intolerance comes in many shapes and sizes, it doesn't flow only from religious conservatives.

[PA_Kid]

Originally Posted by J_UNTITLED

From The Hollywood Reporter...





No offense to any of those religious-inclined, but the above is personally pretty hilarious to me.

To be honest, I'm not too surprised. Personally I find in general that we seem to spiraling out of control on both sides of the liberal/conservative ideology with most of the activity coming from the far right and far left.

While the book censorship part is a little concerning, it seems like both sides have little tollerance for the other's ideals at all.

I miss the days when a concervative and a liberal could actually disagree on something, but still actually respect each other as fellow americans. More and more it seems that both sides aren't happy if the law reflects their ideals, but that the dissenting opinion itself needs to be destroyed or marginalized also.

[cflames89]

Did they pick the 1000 people from the same city?

And it does seem that we are in for another round of church bashing on one side and go to church or go to hell on the other side.

[Hep]

Originally Posted by ShelbyGT500

Since when is 1,000 people the majority of America?

Ya, I couldn't take it seriously after reading that the sample size was that small, not exactly a scientifically valid study; makes me wonder if the population samples were random or if they all came from Utah.

[jadedeath]

Did anyone else get the point that it's the "Anti-Defamation League of America"? *LOL*

I mean they're commissioning a poll so they can Defame Hollywood.

Logan

[quexos]

I think Hollywood would be pretty boring if it had to follow such moral and religious values.